What Vanderbilt football coach Clark Lea said about Maui wildfires ahead of Hawaii opener
When Vanderbilt football visited Hawaii for its 2022 season opener, one of the main lessons it took away was how sacred the islands are for the people who live there.
That made it hit home when wildfires destroyed much of the town of Lahaina on the island of Maui on Aug. 8. The blaze has killed at least 114 people. Although the Commodores stayed in O'ahu, where the university is located, and did not visit Maui, they recognized the impact the disaster could have on their opening opponent.
Hawaii visits Vanderbilt for its season opener Aug. 26.
"We had a team meeting last week when it was kind of all becoming public, it was just, we know how sacred that land is to Hawaiian people," coach Clark Lea said Saturday. "And we experienced that with them. They taught us that, and so we ache not only for the cost of human lives, but also the what can't be undone to that land."
Vanderbilt is donating a potion of ticket proceeds from the game to the Maui Strong Fund, which provides relief for those affected by the wildfires.
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"We're going to come together in the spirit of competition and we're going to come together and honor the game we love and I think that's a beautiful thing," Lea said. "But Hawai'i is on our hearts and now Maui's on our hearts and (Hawaii coach Timmy Chang) and his team and staff are on our hearts and we look forward to celebrating football and a game day experience with them and welcome them to Nashville but certainly we're going to be mindful of what they're going through and supportive."
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Vanderbilt football, Clark Lea on Maui wildfires before Hawaii game
